A lack of court time proved costly for the Wanganui High School A1's television debut in the College Netball competition on Monday night.
The Phillips Electrical WHS side went down 33-22 to a more cohesive St Mary's Wellington at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua preventing the girls moving through to the second round in the knockout tournament.
Started in 2011 after the success of the College Rugby programme on Sky TV, College Netball matches are played as the curtain raisers to ANZ Championship games, with Monday's match-up with St Mary's the opening act before Central Pulse v Adelaide Thunderbirds at the sold-out Te Rauparaha Arena.
WHS came sixth at the Lower North Island secondary schools tournament last year to qualify for the competition, with their game being one of the 12 shown on TV out of the 18 being played.
Coach Lisa Murphy said while the televised appearance on Monday night was a "great experience", a lack of drive through mid court proved crucial.